Correct a #REF! error - Help and How-to

Warning: You are viewing this page with an unsupported Web browser. This Web site works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Firefox 1.5, or Netscape Navigator 8.0 or later. Learn more about supported browsers.

Printer-Friendly Version

Correct a #REF! error

Applies to: Microsoft Office Excel 2003

Occurs when a cell reference (cell reference: The set of coordinates that a cell occupies on a worksheet. For example, the reference of the cell that appears at the intersection of column B and row 3 is B3.) is not valid.

Click the cell that displays the error, click the button that appears , and then click Trace Error if it appears.
Review the possible causes and solutions.

Possible causes and solutions

Show Deleting cells referred to by other formulas, or pasting moved cells over cells referred to by other formulas

Change the formulas, or restore the cells on the worksheet by clicking Undo Button image immediately after you delete or paste the cells.

Show Using a link to a program that is not running

Start the program.

Show Linking to a Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) topic such as "system" that is not available

Make sure that you're using the correct DDE topic.

Show Running a macro that enters a function that returns #REF!

Check the function to see if an argument (argument: The values that a function uses to perform operations or calculations. The type of argument a function uses is specific to the function. Common arguments that are used within functions include numbers, text, cell references, and names.) refers to a cell or range of cells that is not valid. For example, if the macro enters a function that refers to a cell above the function, and the cell that contains the function is in row 1, the function will return #REF! because there are no cells above row 1.